# What does the GOP do about 2020? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 27, 2019, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476 "2019-01-27T09:31:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/101 "2019-01-30T17:34:28Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > The issue is Trump is a lead weight around the GOP and I believe he can’t possibly win in 2020 or even come close. If the party has any hope to win, or at very least have some dignity and credibility in the future, now is the time to turn on this buffoon. I am afraid the GOP is hosed either way, my friend. Trump is just a symptom of a much bigger trend. I think it goes back to Nixon and the Southern Strategy- the party went racist but spent many years dog whistling about it and devising all kinds of other bs as cover for that. They promised Jesus to the evangelicals, guns to the gun enthusiasts, defeat of Libruls to the talk radio fans, and always that tax cuts would lead us all to the promised land. Trump promised everything to everybody and it worked because, and I mean no offense, the GOP base is largely the less educated segment of the population that can be easily led to believe anything. Hillary needs to be locked up because 7 Benghazi investigations found… nothing, but the FBI is crooked when it locks up Trump associates for well-defined crimes. Make sense? Maybe to people who don’t connect a lot of dots. Dump him and who else is going to herd all these cats? Keep him and how do you avoid the party being consumed in a conflagration of treason, crime, lies and propaganda? You’re hosed. Sorry, really. Read John Calhoun’s Slavery is a Positive Good to see the intellectual father of the modern GOP. Economic imperialism and white supremacy. Good luck and see you in the minority! ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/102 "2019-01-30T17:50:14Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > … > > I don’t think there are any grounds for “they are coming to take your guns” hysteria, no matter who gets elected. This is simply law enforcement. The executive can’t suspend the 2nd by fiat, and if the day ever comes that it seems they can, I’ll take your side against them. No, they cant. But they could ban the sale of any new gun models that dont have 'microstamping"- as Harris did in CA. They could ban any gun with a magazine capacity of over 10 rounds- as Harris did in CA, and they could ban “assault weapons”- as is the case in CA. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/103 "2019-01-30T18:22:25Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > And yet, after his “cave”, his base is _as solid in his camp as ever_, running [86% approval](https://d25d2506sfb94s.cloudfront.net/cumulus_uploads/document/hh0961cq54/tabs_Trump_Tweets_20190128.pdf) with self-identified Republicans and 92% approval among those who had voted for him in 2016. > > There are just not too many people who, like you, voted for him but disapprove of him now, and of them many may still vote for him with disapproval again because they disapprove of the other choice more, like last time. > > There is zero evidence that “hard core Republican voters” have been pissed off by him. Political observers and/or historians will be spending a long time getting to the bottom of Trump’s charismatic appeal to a large segment of the electorate. It never fails to baffle me how there appears to be no betrayal that will cost him a single dedicated voter. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/104 "2019-01-30T18:24:47Z")
PK says the issue is Trump, not guns. I am someone who is pretty ho-hum about gun questions. Do you feel like these examples of gun control affect the lives of gun enthusiasts? Do they amount to a counter argument to the assertion, “there is no grounds for the the are coming to take your guns hysteria”? To me, there is tension between public safety and the 2nd Amendment. To me, those changes seem to be intended to make massacres less likely or deadly without taking (most) guns away from people. To me, gun rights absolutism can look cartoonish, with Mephistophelian Libruls :eek: always chipping away at a total gun ban and needing to be fought like the Devil Himself. But I am dumb and often wrong. Care to expand on your point but without derailing the thread? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/105 "2019-01-30T19:22:13Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > The issue is Trump is a lead weight around the GOP and I believe he can’t possibly win in 2020 or even come close. If the party has any hope to win, or at very least have some dignity and credibility in the future, now is the time to turn on this buffoon. For the first and likely last time, I agree with you on something. Why is the GOP officially rallying behind Trump and quashing primary challenges? Because they know someone in their own camp seriously challenging Trump on genuine issues and character could sow deep doubts about Trump within their base – not to mention giving the Dem nominee a blueprint for dismantling Trump in the general election. But look where catering to their base got them in 2018. Look for more of the same (and worse) in 2020, unless they change course now. Spoiler alert: ain’t gonna happen. (How do you get that cool spoiler box, anyway?) ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/106 "2019-01-30T20:03:16Z")
Trump is not going to pull an LBJ and not run for re-election, but at the same time, the party should not do “whatever is necessary” to make sure he gets the nomination. If the rank and file party members want someone else, the party needs to listen to them. If Trump has support in California, then one sign of the party’s intentions will be whether or not it gets rid of its “no winner-take-all primaries before mid-March” rule. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/107 "2019-01-30T20:04:31Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > For the first and likely last time, I agree with you on something. > > Why is the GOP officially rallying behind Trump and quashing primary challenges? Because they know someone in their own camp seriously challenging Trump on genuine issues and character could sow deep doubts about Trump within their base – not to mention giving the Dem nominee a blueprint for dismantling Trump in the general election. > > But look where catering to their base got them in 2018. Look for more of the same (and worse) in 2020, unless they change course now. Spoiler alert: ain’t gonna happen. > > (How do you get that cool spoiler box, anyway?) I figured it out! ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/108 "2019-01-30T21:31:21Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > But that’s not the issue. Alright? > > The issue is Trump is a lead weight around the GOP and I believe he can’t possibly win in 2020 or even come close. If the party has any hope to win, or at very least have some dignity and credibility in the future, now is the time to turn on this buffoon. Well, there you go. I agree with you on this. The problem is that they are, in fact, not going to turn on this buffoon. It’s not going to happen. So there goes their hope to win, along with their dignity and credibility. Take a look at Ancient Erudite, who can’t see a political thread without jumping and declaring that everything is fine, Trump is a great president and he’s more popular than ever, and if you don’t like Trump your only alternative is going to be an America-hating gun-grabbing socialist. Who do you think is more representative of the Republican base, him or you? Thing is, if it was you, Trump wouldn’t be president right now. Your only hope, I think, is that Trump goes down to a historic loss on November 3, 2020, and by November 4th right wing media will be talking about how Trump was really a liberal all along, and what America wants is a real conservative. The problem for you is that the current real core of the conservative movement is tax cuts for the rich. That’s the tail that wags the dog, and the issues that you care about are all a smokescreen. So maybe you’ll get rid of Trump in 2020, but better get used to betrayal after betrayal on the issues, unless your issue is tax cuts for the rich. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/109 "2019-01-30T22:58:01Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > There is zero evidence that “hard core Republican voters” have been pissed off by him. Well, now, I wouldn’t say _that_… [A surprising number of Republicans want Donald Trump off the ticket in 2020](https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/29/politics/donald-trump-republican-primary/index.html) > [@](#): > > “How do you impeach a president who has won perhaps the greatest election of all time, done nothing wrong (no Collusion with Russia, it was the Dems that Colluded), had the most successful first two years of any president, and is the most popular Republican in party history 93%?” he tweeted earlier this month. > > That may be changing, at least according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll that shows 1 in 3 Republican and Republican-leaning voters would like the GOP to nominate “someone other” than Trump in 2020. Granted, 1 in 3 may not be an overwhelming number. But given that he won by an electoral fluke, how many non-batshit Republicans can he afford to lose? ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/110 "2019-01-30T23:10:33Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > Granted, 1 in 3 may not be an overwhelming number. But given that he won by an electoral fluke, how many non-batshit Republicans can he afford to lose? They might say they’d prefer a different nominee, but when it comes right down to actually casting the ballot, they aren’t going to vote for a Democrat. Period. ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/111 "2019-01-30T23:22:09Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > They might say they’d prefer a different nominee, but when it comes right down to actually casting the ballot, they aren’t going to vote for a Democrat. Period. True…OTOH, if they are offered a viable alternative in the primaries… Take a look at [this post](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=21460520&postcount=95) in a GD thread… And then again, they might stay home. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/112 "2019-01-30T23:24:11Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > The problem for you is that the current real core of the conservative movement is tax cuts for the rich. Which isn’t a real problem unless the person signing those cuts is also tweeting about it like a goddamned 13 year old. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/113 "2019-01-31T01:19:26Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Under federal law and the laws of about 40 states one can still buy/possess a fully automatic weapon but possessing a piece of plastic is about to become a serious crime with no wiggle room, regulations, licensing, etc out of it. > > But that’s not the issue. Alright? Well, the OP sure said it was the issue. Why don’t you take it up with him, OK? You and he can argue it out and get back to us. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/114 "2019-01-31T02:30:23Z")
> [@CaptMurdock](#): > > Well, now, I wouldn’t say _that_… > > [A surprising number of Republicans want Donald Trump off the ticket in 2020](https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/29/politics/donald-trump-republican-primary/index.html) > > Granted, 1 in 3 may not be an overwhelming number. But given that he won by an electoral fluke, how many non-batshit Republicans can he afford to lose? That cited article is pretty clear that those “surprising numbers” are only true if one is including those who are NOT “hard core Republicans” and instead are counting “leaners” too. The full results are [here.](https://www.langerresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/1204a42020Election.pdf) > [@](#): > > … Sixty-five percent of leaned Republicans and 71 percent of mainline Republicans stick with Trump, plenty enough for him to secure the nomination … > > … Among the risks to Trump is the third of leaned Republicans who want the party to nominate someone else. Were Trump the candidate, just 12 percent in this group say they’d definitely support him. Forty-three percent would consider it – and another 43 percent say they would not … No question that the hard core is a smaller group than it was and that those who previously considered themselves moderate Republicans are, for now, not as likely to self-identify as part of the GOP, and not sure about voting for Trump next time. But he still owns the hard core. No, I don’t think he can win the general with that hard core alone. But the op’s thesis that the hard core base is upset (as he is) is without any support. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/115 "2019-01-31T03:00:25Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Well, the OP sure said it was the issue. Why don’t you take it up with him, OK? You and he can argue it out and get back to us. 😃 No, the OP issue was about DT betraying those who helped put him in office. Doesn’t matter the specific issue. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/116 "2019-01-31T06:35:18Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > Political observers and/or historians will be spending a long time getting to the bottom of Trump’s charismatic appeal to a large segment of the electorate. It never fails to baffle me how there appears to be no betrayal that will cost him a single dedicated voter. It’s really, really simple. “Liberal tears.” He generates _so_ much highly emotional hatred and outrage from the other side, and his supporters appreciate it. I mean they appreciate it the way people appreciate wine or cigars. It gives them such pleasure to watch the other half of America squirm in agony, and there’s no way in hell that they’d ever go back to boring politicians like Jeb Bush and John Kasich now that they’ve experienced a taste of this. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2019, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/117 "2019-01-31T23:52:27Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > No, the OP issue was about DT betraying those who helped put him in office. Doesn’t matter the specific issue. All I can say is, (a) the OP sure emphasized it in the OP, and (b) he sure keeps coming back to it. Dude, you’re losing a tug-of-war with yourself. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/118 "2019-02-01T00:30:12Z")
Picked the nonexistent poll option: “Back Trump reluctantly and watch him lose narrowly to a Democratic candidate a semi-respectable GOP challenger could have beaten in a landslide - or watch him win another term.” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2019, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476/119 "2019-02-01T13:42:02Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Picked the nonexistent poll option: “Back Trump reluctantly and watch him lose narrowly to a Democratic candidate a semi-respectable GOP challenger could have beaten in a landslide - or watch him win another term.” :eek: That would be my poll choice too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-the-gop-do-about-2020/828476.md?page=5)